Q & A with Kimi Raikkonen
After a hectic fortnight of launches, the razzamatazz of dancing girls, fireworks and press calls has this week been replaced by the hard work of testing at Valencia in Spain
For Kimi Raikkonen, it has meant not only the start of his experience with Ferrari's new F2007 but the first chance to see exactly what the opposition are up to.
Although poor weather has blighted everyone's running, autosport.com caught up with Raikkonen after today's running in Valencia to find out what he thinks of his new car, and early pacesetter Fernando Alonso.
Q. The conditions have been difficult here today, but how was it?
Kimi Raikkonen: It is not ideal, but this is what it is. We cannot change it. It has been very difficult and very tricky. Hopefully it gets better at some point and we get some proper work done.
Q. There is the chance for comparison here with nine teams together. Where do you think you stand now?
KR: I had only one set of tyres, so it is too early to say. I don't know what the others are doing. I just need more running and some time in the car to set it up.
Q. Is driving the Ferrari so different?
KR: I am happy where I am. I am enjoying it and it is good.
Q. You have had the chance to test the new car more. How is it?
KR: It is good. It is still only the second day with the new car. I am trial running now, but we need some more laps to get some work done. But the first feeling is good.
Q. What is the main difference between McLaren and Ferrari?
KR: There is no point to start comparing. The tyres are very different (compared) to last year. It is a different car and a different team. That is the main thing.
Q. Fernando Alonso has had a great start this week. What do you think?
KR: Like I said, I have not looked at what everyone else is doing and what teams are running. So we are just doing our own thing. We will see where we are at some point, it is just too early to say. You see what times they are doing, but it is still hard to tell.
Q. You did a long run at the end, how was it?
KR: We just wanted to get some laps in. The conditions were not good earlier on, so we did some longer runs later.
Q. How are the control systems on the car. Are they very different?
KR: Everything is different to what I was used to. But that is normal if you go from one team to another team. It takes time.
Q. And the team?
KR: Yes, it is nice. The people are nice and easy to work with, so there is no complaint at all.
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